Hong Joon-pyo Files Civil and Criminal Lawsuits Against Media Over Reports on 'Reapplication and Withdrawal'

Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, has taken legal action against a media outlet that reported he "applied for reinstatement during Kim Jong-in's emergency committee period but later withdrew the application."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. Daegu City

On the 6th, Mayor Hong mentioned the editor-in-chief and the reporter of the media outlet on his Facebook, stating, "I am filing civil and criminal lawsuits with the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office and court," and added, "I regret this, but please understand that this is the only way to block indiscriminate false reports that may appear in the next presidential election."

Mayor Hong pointed out, "The freedom of the press does not include the freedom to publish false reports," and said, "As media outlets have proliferated rapidly, competition for breaking news has intensified, and indiscriminate tabloid-like articles are being produced recklessly." He continued, "It is time to sound a warning," and asked, "Can we allow South Korea to become a place where fraudsters and tabloid articles run rampant?"

Earlier, the media outlet reported on the 28th of last month that "It has been confirmed that Mayor Hong applied for reinstatement during the 2021 Kim Jong-in People Power Party Emergency Committee period but withdrew midway," and stated, "Mayor Hong's claim was false."

In response, Mayor Hong immediately refuted the report as "a slanderous article," saying, "No matter how frustrating it was, I never applied for reinstatement to former Chairman Kim Jong-in, nor did I withdraw any application. It is clear if you check with the Seoul City Party. All documents remain with the party." He further explained, "Former Chairman Kim Jong-in stepped down on April 8, 2021, and I applied for reinstatement on May 10 of the same year," adding, "Former Chairman Kim Jong-in also said that I never applied for reinstatement."